Acts of John, an apocryphal (noncanonical and unauthentic) Christian writing, composed about ad 180, purporting to be an account of the travels and miracles of St. John the Evangelist. Photius, the 9th-century patriarch of Constantinople, identified the author of the Acts of John as Leucius Charinus, otherwise unknown. The book reflects the heretical views of early Christian Docetists, who denied the reality of Christ’s physical body and attributed to it only the appearance of materiality. The Acts of John likewise has a hymn containing formulas to evade demons who, according to Gnostic teachings, could impede one’s journey to heaven. The book was condemned by the second Council of Nicaea, in ad 787, because of its subversion of orthodox Christian teachings.

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...destroyed all inclination for change, and the Logos united to himself not only soul but also body, as was apparent when Jesus was transfigured. Origen, influenced by a semi-Gnostic writing, the Acts of John, thought that Jesus’ body appeared differently to different observers according to their spiritual capacities. Some saw nothing remarkable in him, others recognized in him their Lord...

...it is still annually commemorated on May 6. John’s feast day otherwise is December 27. This belief that John did not die is based on an early tradition. In the original form of the apocryphal Acts of John (second half of the 2nd century) the apostle dies, but in later traditions he is assumed to have ascended to heaven like Enoch and Elijah. A popular tradition known to Augustine...